eye

the organ of sight, in vertebrates typically one of a pair of spherical bodies contained in an orbit of the skull and in humans appearing externally as a dense, white, curved membrane, or sclera, surrounding a circular, colored portion, or iris, that is covered by a clear, curved membrane, or cornea, and in the center of which is an opening, or pupil, through which light passes to the retina.

2.

the aggregate of structures situated within or near the orbit that assist, support, or protect the eye.

3.

this organ with respect to the color of the iris:

blue eyes.

4.

the region surrounding the eye:

a black eye; puffy eyes.

5.

sight; vision:

a sharp eye.

6.

the power of seeing; appreciative or discriminating visual perception:

the eye of an artist.

7.

a look, glance, or gaze:

to cast one's eye at a beautiful necklace.

8.

an attentive look, close observation, or watch:

to be under the eye of a guard.

9.

regard, view, aim, or intention:

to have an eye to one's own advantage.

10.

a manner or way of looking at a thing; estimation; opinion:

in the eyes of the law.

11.

a center of light, intelligence, influence, etc.

12.

something resembling or suggesting the eye in appearance, shape, etc., as the opening in the lens of a camera, a peephole, or a buttonhole.

13.

Botany.

the bud of a potato, Jerusalem artichoke, etc.

a small, contrastingly colored part at the center of a flower.

14.

the central spot of a target; bull's-eye.

15.

a choice center cut of meat:

an eye of round; the eye of the rib.

16.

one of the round spots on the tail feathers of a peacock.

17.

the hole in a needle.

18.

a hole made in a thing for the insertion of some object, as the handle of a tool:

the eye of an ax.

19.

a metal or other ring through which something, as a rope or rod, is passed.

20.

the loop into which a hook is inserted.

21.

Electronics. a photoelectric cell or similar device used to perform a function analogous to visual inspection.

22.

Building Trades. a ring on the end of a tension member, as an eye bar or eye bolt, for connection with another member.

23.

a hole formed during the maturation of cheese, especially Emmenthaler or Gruyère.

24.

a loop worked at the end of a rope.

25.

Meteorology. the approximately circular region of relatively light winds and fair weather found at the center of a severe tropical cyclone.

26.

eyes, Nautical. the extreme forward part of the upper deck at the bow of a vessel.

eye1

/aɪ/

noun

1.

the organ of sight of animals, containing light-sensitive cells associated with nerve fibres, so that light entering the eye is converted to nervous impulses that reach the brain. In man and other vertebrates the iris controls the amount of light entering the eye and the lens focuses the light onto the retina related adjectives ocular oculate ophthalmic optic

2.

(often pl) the ability to see; sense of vision: weak eyes

3.

the visible external part of an eye, often including the area around it: heavy-lidded eyes, piercing eyes

4.

a look, glance, expression, or gaze: a stern eye

5.

a sexually inviting or provocative look (esp in the phrases give (someone) the (glad) eye, make eyes at)

Until late 14c. the plural was in -an, hence modern dialectal plural een, ene. The eye of a needle was in Old English; to see eye to eye is from Isa. lii:8. Eye contact attested by 1965. Eye-opener "anything that informs and enlightens" is from 1863. Have an eye on "keep under supervision" is attested from early 15c.

Either of a pair of hollow structures located in bony sockets of the skull, functioning together or independently, each having a lens capable of focusing incident light on an internal photosensitive retina from which nerve impulses are sent to the brain; the organ of vision.

The external, visible portion of this organ together with its associated structures, especially the eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows.

Anatomy The vertebrate organ of sight, composed of a pair of fluid-filled spherical structures that occupy the orbits of the skull. Incoming light is refracted by the cornea of the eye and transmitted through the pupil to the lens, which focuses the image onto the retina.

Zoology An organ in invertebrates that is sensitive to light. See more at compound eye, eyespot.

Botany A bud on a tuber, such as a potato.

Meteorology The relatively calm area at the center of a hurricane or similar storm. See more at hurricane.